Combination Drawer with Adjustable Dividing Function

ABSTRACT

A combination drawer includes a drawer body, two support bars located at two opposite ends of the drawer body, at least one dividing unit mounted in the drawer body and disposed between the support bars, at least two upper retractable members retractably mounted on two opposite ends of the dividing unit and connected with the support bars respectively, and at least two lower retractable members retractably mounted on the two opposite ends of the dividing unit and each abutting an inner side of the drawer body. Thus, the lower retractable members are movable relative to the dividing unit to co-operate with the dividing unit so as to fit the length of the drawer body, such that the total length of the dividing unit and the lower retractable members can be adjusted to fit the drawer body of different sizes.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a drawer and, more particularly, to a combination drawer with a greater height.

2. Description of the Related Art

A conventional drawer comprises a drawer body and a plurality of baffles mounted in the drawer body to divide the inner space of the drawer body into a plurality of compartments for storing items, such as papers, files, documents and the like, of different sizes. However, each of the baffles has a fixed length so that each of the compartments has a fixed size and cannot be adjusted according to the user's practical requirement, thereby limiting the versatility of the conventional drawer.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with the present invention, there is provided a combination drawer, comprising a drawer body, two support bars located at two opposite ends of the drawer body, at least one dividing unit mounted in the drawer body and disposed between the support bars, at least two upper retractable members retractably mounted on two opposite ends of the dividing unit and connected with the support bars respectively, and at least two lower retractable members retractably mounted on the two opposite ends of the dividing unit and each abutting an inner side of the drawer body.

The dividing unit has an upper side provided with an upper slideway to receive each of the upper retractable members and has a lower side provided with a lower slideway to receive each of the lower retractable members. Each of the upper retractable members is slidably mounted in the upper slideway of the dividing unit. Each of the upper retractable members has a first end provided with a hook portion hooked onto a respective one of the support bars. Each of the lower retractable members is slidably mounted in the lower slideway of the dividing unit. Each of the lower retractable members has a first end provided with a locating plate abutting the inner side of the drawer body.

The upper slideway of the dividing unit has two opposite ends each provided with an upper stop portion. Each of the upper retractable members has a second end provided with a flexible upper locking portion that is movable to abut the upper stop portion of the dividing unit so as to stop a further movement of each of the upper retractable members relative to the dividing unit and to prevent each of the upper retractable members from being detached from the upper slideway of the dividing unit. The lower slideway of the dividing unit has two opposite ends each provided with a lower stop portion. Each of the lower retractable members has a second end provided with a flexible lower locking portion that is movable to abut the lower stop portion of the dividing unit so as to stop a further movement of each of the lower retractable members relative to the dividing unit and to prevent each of the lower retractable members from being detached from the lower slideway of the dividing unit.

Preferably, the locating plate is pivotally connected with each of the lower retractable members.

The combination drawer further comprises at least one separation unit mounted in the drawer body and connected with the dividing unit. The separation unit has an upper end and a lower end each provided with a hooking section hooked onto the dividing unit to lock the separation unit onto the dividing unit. The hooking section of the separation unit is slidable on the dividing unit so that the separation unit is movable relative to the dividing unit to adjust a position of the separation unit in the drawer body.

The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a combination drawer with adjustable dividing function.

According to the primary advantage of the present invention, the lower retractable members are movable relative to the dividing unit to co-operate with the dividing unit so as to fit the length of the drawer body, such that the total length of the dividing unit and the lower retractable members can be adjusted to fit the drawer body of different sizes, thereby enhancing the versatility of the combination drawer.

According to another advantage of the present invention, the dividing unit is located between the support bars by the upper retractable members and is positioned in the drawer body by the lower retractable members so that the dividing unit is supported solidly and stably.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the locating plate is pivotally connected with each of the lower retractable members so that each of the lower retractable members has an angle that can be adjusted to fit the inclination of the inner side of the drawer body.

According to a further advantage of the present invention, the inner space of the drawer body is divided into multiple compartments by the dividing unit and the separation unit, and the separation unit is movable relative to the dividing unit to change the position of the separation unit so as to adjust the size of each of the compartments of the drawer body.

Further benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent after a careful reading of the detailed description with appropriate reference to the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

FIG. 1 is a partially perspective view of a combination drawer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a partially exploded perspective view of the combination drawer as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a partially front cross-sectional view of the combination drawer as shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a schematic operational view of the combination drawer as shown in FIG. 3 in use.

FIG. 5 is a partially exploded perspective view of a combination drawer in accordance with another preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a separation unit of the combination drawer as shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and initially to FIGS. 1-3, a combination drawer in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a drawer body 5, two support bars 50 located at two opposite ends of the drawer body 5, at least one dividing unit 1 mounted in the drawer body 5 and disposed between the support bars 50, at least two upper retractable members 2 retractably mounted on two opposite ends of the dividing unit 1 and connected with the support bars 50 respectively, and at least two lower retractable members 3 retractably mounted on the two opposite ends of the dividing unit 1 and each abutting an inner side of the drawer body 5.

The dividing unit 1 includes at least one baffle 10, and two fixing seats 11 located at two opposite ends of the baffle 10. The baffle 10 of the dividing unit 1 is located between the fixing seats 11. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the dividing unit 1 includes two baffles 10 each of which is formed integrally by an aluminum extruding process. The dividing unit 1 has an upper side provided with an upper slideway 12 to receive each of the upper retractable members 2 and has a lower side provided with a lower slideway 13 to receive each of the lower retractable members 3. Each of the upper slideway 12 and the lower slideway 13 is extended through a whole length of the dividing unit 1 and is exposed outward from each of the two opposite ends of the dividing unit 1. The upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1 has two opposite ends each provided with an upper stop portion 14. The lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1 has two opposite ends each provided with a lower stop portion 15.

Each of the upper retractable members 2 is slidably mounted in the upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1 and is movable relative to the dividing unit 1. Each of the upper retractable members 2 has a first end provided with a hook portion 21 hooked onto a respective one of the support bars 50 and has a second end provided with a flexible upper locking portion 20 that is movable to abut the upper stop portion 14 of the dividing unit 1 so as to stop a further movement of each of the upper retractable members 2 relative to the dividing unit 1 and to prevent each of the upper retractable members 2 from being detached from the upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1. The hook portion 21 of each of the upper retractable members 2 is exposed outward from the upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1. The upper locking portion 20 of each of the upper retractable members 2 is received in the upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1.

Each of the lower retractable members 3 is slidably mounted in the lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1 and is movable relative to the dividing unit 1. Each of the lower retractable members 3 has a first end provided with a locating plate 31 abutting the inner side of the drawer body 5 and has a second end provided with a flexible lower locking portion 30 that is movable to abut the lower stop portion 15 of the dividing unit 1 so as to stop a further movement of each of the lower retractable members 3 relative to the dividing unit 1 and to prevent each of the lower retractable members 3 from being detached from the lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1. The locating plate 31 of each of the lower retractable members 3 is exposed outward from the lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1. The lower locking portion 30 of each of the lower retractable members 3 is received in the lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1.

In operation, referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dividing unit 1 is initially disposed in the drawer body 5. Then, each of the upper retractable members 2 is moved outward relative to the dividing unit 1, and the hook portion 21 of each of the upper retractable members 2 is moved to hook the respective support bar 50 so that each of the upper retractable members 2 is locked onto the respective support bar 50. Then, each of the lower retractable members 3 is moved outward relative to the dividing unit 1, and the locating plate 31 of each of the lower retractable members 3 is moved to abut the inner side of the drawer body 5 so that each of the lower retractable members 3 is positioned on the drawer body 5. In such a manner, the dividing unit 1 is located between the support bars 50 by the upper retractable members 2 and is positioned in the drawer body 5 by the lower retractable members 3.

As shown in FIG. 4, the upper locking portion 20 of each of the upper retractable members 2 is movable to abut the upper stop portion 14 of the dividing unit 1 so as to stop a further movement of each of the upper retractable members 2 relative to the dividing unit 1 and to prevent each of the upper retractable members 2 from being detached from the upper slideway 12 of the dividing unit 1. In addition, the lower locking portion 30 of each of the lower retractable members 3 is movable to abut the lower stop portion 15 of the dividing unit 1 so as to stop a further movement of each of the lower retractable members 3 relative to the dividing unit 1 and to prevent each of the lower retractable members 3 from being detached from the lower slideway 13 of the dividing unit 1.

Referring to FIG. 5, the locating plate 31 is pivotally connected with each of the lower retractable members 3. The first end of each of the lower retractable members 3 is formed with a pivot shaft 33, and the locating plate 31 has a side formed with a pivot hole 32 pivotally connected with the pivot shaft 33 of each of the lower retractable members 3. The locating plate 31 of each of the lower retractable members 3 has a face provided with an adhesive member 34 bonded onto the drawer body 5 to affix the locating plate 31 of each of the lower retractable members 3 to the drawer body 5.

Referring to FIG. 6 with reference to FIG. 1, the combination drawer further comprises at least one separation unit 4 mounted in the drawer body 5 and connected with the dividing unit I. The separation unit 4 is perpendicular to the dividing unit 1 and includes at least one partition 40, and two fixing brackets 41 and 42 located at two opposite ends of the partition 40. The partition 40 of the separation unit 4 is located between the fixing brackets 41 and 42. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separation unit 4 includes two partitions 40 each of which is formed integrally by an aluminum extruding process. The separation unit 4 has an upper end and a lower end each provided with a hooking section 43 hooked onto the dividing unit 1 to lock the separation unit 4 onto the dividing unit 1. The hooking section 43 of the separation unit 4 is slidable on the dividing unit 1 so that the separation unit 4 is movable relative to the dividing unit 1 to adjust the position of the separation unit 4 in the drawer body 5 to facilitate the drawer body 5 storing and receiving items.

Accordingly, the lower retractable members 3 are movable relative to the dividing unit 1 to co-operate with the dividing unit 1 so as to fit the length of the drawer body 5, such that the total length of the dividing unit 1 and the lower retractable members 3 can be adjusted to fit the drawer body 5 of different sizes, thereby enhancing the versatility of the combination drawer. In addition, the dividing unit 1 is located between the support bars 50 by the upper retractable members 2 and is positioned in the drawer body 5 by the lower retractable members 3 so that the dividing unit 1 is supported solidly and stably. Further, the locating plate 31 is pivotally connected with each of the lower retractable members 3 so that each of the lower retractable members 3 has an angle that can be adjusted to fit the inclination of the inner side of the drawer body 5. Further, the inner space of the drawer body 5 is divided into multiple compartments by the dividing unit 1 and the separation unit 4, and the separation unit 4 is movable relative to the dividing unit 1 to change the position of the separation unit 4 so as to adjust the size of each of the compartments of the drawer body 5.

Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment(s) as mentioned above, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. It is, therefore, contemplated that the appended claim or claims will cover such modifications and variations that fall within the true scope of the invention. 

1. A combination drawer, comprising: a drawer body; two support bars located at two opposite ends of the drawer body; at least one dividing unit mounted in the drawer body and disposed between the support bars; at least two upper retractable members retractably mounted on two opposite ends of the dividing unit and connected with the support bars respectively; and at least two lower retractable members retractably mounted on the two opposite ends of the dividing unit and each abutting an inner side of the drawer body.
 2. The combination drawer of claim 1, wherein the dividing unit has an upper side provided with an upper slideway to receive each of the upper retractable members and has a lower side provided with a lower slideway to receive each of the lower retractable members; each of the upper retractable members is slidably mounted in the upper slideway of the dividing unit; each of the upper retractable members has a first end provided with a hook portion hooked onto a respective one of the support bars; each of the lower retractable members is slidably mounted in the lower slideway of the dividing unit; each of the lower retractable members has a first end provided with a locating plate abutting the inner side of the drawer body.
 3. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein the upper slideway of the dividing unit has two opposite ends each provided with an upper stop portion; each of the upper retractable members has a second end provided with a flexible upper locking portion that is movable to abut the upper stop portion of the dividing unit so as to stop a further movement of each of the upper retractable members relative to the dividing unit and to prevent each of the upper retractable members from being detached from the upper slideway of the dividing unit.
 4. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein the lower slideway of the dividing unit has two opposite ends each provided with a lower stop portion; each of the lower retractable members has a second end provided with a flexible lower locking portion that is movable to abut the lower stop portion of the dividing unit so as to stop a further movement of each of the lower retractable members relative to the dividing unit and to prevent each of the lower retractable members from being detached from the lower slideway of the dividing unit.
 5. The combination drawer of claim 1, wherein the dividing unit includes: at least one baffle; and two fixing seats located at two opposite ends of the baffle; the baffle of the dividing unit is located between the fixing seats.
 6. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein the locating plate is pivotally connected with each of the lower retractable members.
 7. The combination drawer of claim 6, wherein the first end of each of the lower retractable members is formed with a pivot shaft; and the locating plate has a side formed with a pivot hole pivotally connected with the pivot shaft of each of the lower retractable members.
 8. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein the locating plate of each of the lower retractable members has a face provided with an adhesive member bonded onto the drawer body to affix the locating plate of each of the lower retractable members to the drawer body.
 9. The combination drawer of claim 1, wherein the combination drawer further comprises at least one separation unit mounted in the drawer body and connected with the dividing unit.
 10. The combination drawer of claim 9, wherein the separation unit is perpendicular to the dividing unit; the separation unit has an upper end and a lower end each provided with a hooking section hooked onto the dividing unit to lock the separation unit onto the dividing unit.
 11. The combination drawer of claim 10, wherein the hooking section of the separation unit is slidable on the dividing unit; the separation unit is movable relative to the dividing unit to adjust a position of the separation unit in the drawer body.
 12. The combination drawer of claim 9, wherein the separation unit includes: at least one partition; and two fixing brackets located at two opposite ends of the partition; the partition of the separation unit is located between the fixing brackets.
 13. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein each of the upper retractable members is movable relative to the dividing unit; each of the lower retractable members is movable relative to the dividing unit
 1. 14. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein the hook portion of each of the upper retractable members is exposed outward from the upper slideway of the dividing unit; the locating plate of each of the lower retractable members is exposed outward from the lower slideway of the dividing unit.
 15. The combination drawer of claim 3, wherein the upper locking portion of each of the upper retractable members is received in the upper slideway of the dividing unit.
 16. The combination drawer of claim 4, wherein the lower locking portion of each of the lower retractable members is received in the lower slideway of the dividing unit.
 17. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein each of the upper slideway and the lower slideway is extended through a whole length of the dividing unit.
 18. The combination drawer of claim 2, wherein each of the upper slideway and the lower slideway is exposed outward from each of the two opposite ends of the dividing unit. 